What is the process called when layers of skin rub against each other, causing damage to underlying tissues?

The correct term for the process in which layers of skin rub against each other, resulting in damage to the underlying tissues, is shear. Shear occurs when forces are applied in opposite directions on different layers of tissue. This often happens when a patient is repositioned in bed or when sliding occurs against a surface, effectively pulling on the skin while the underlying tissue may remain stationary.

This mechanism causes stretching and distortion of the blood vessels and tissues, potentially leading to tissue ischemia and damage if the shear forces are significant and prolonged. Understanding the concept of shear is crucial for healthcare professionals, especially in preventing conditions like pressure ulcers, where both shear and pressure can play a detrimental role in skin integrity.

While friction, pressure, and contusion are related terms in the context of skin and tissue damage, they describe different mechanisms that do not fully capture the specific process of shear. Friction typically refers to the resistance encountered when two surfaces move against each other, pressure deals with the force applied perpendicular to the skin, and a contusion describes bruising resulting from blunt trauma rather than a specific mechanism of layer interaction.